Radius and variable width conveyor belt

ABSTRACT

A mesh-like conveyor belt is capable of varying in width and shape as it travels. The conveyor belt comprises a plurality of links, joints, and control elements. The joints connect the links to each other and allow the links to change their orientation within the conveying surface of the conveyor belt. The plurality of links and joints allow the conveyor belt to vary in width, shape, trajectory, and surface speed while in motion. The conveyor belt also includes control elements, built into the structure of the belt that are capable of engaging with external guides. When the conveyor belt is in motion, the control elements engage with and follow the paths determined by external guides thereby controlling the shape of the belt.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of pending U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/166,218 filed Oct. 22, 2018, entitled “Radius and VariableWidth Conveyor Belt” which claims priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication 62/578,409 entitled RADIUS AND VARIABLE WIDTH CONVEYOR BELTfiled Oct. 28, 2017.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to conveyor belts for use in conveyors andother machines. More particularly, the present invention relates toconveyor belts containing a plurality of connected links which allowturning and variation of shape.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conveyor belts are used in many processing and handling applications forgoods. Typical applications of conveyor belts include but are notlimited to: transporting, changing elevation via inclines or declines,changing direction via turns, spreading, converging, diverting,combining, accumulating, positioning, orienting, and processing. Modularplastic belts, comprising brick-lay patterns of duplicate parts, are acommon type of belting used in many applications. Modular plastic beltshave several known and well understood shortcomings which placelimitations on the design and types of conveyors that are able to bemanufactured. One of these shortcomings is stress concentration when theconveyor belts are subject to turns. The links of modular plastic beltstypically collapse on the inside radius of turns and separate from theload carrying connecting pins, which in turn, creates a stressconcentration towards the outer radius. This stress concentrationgreatly reduces the overall load capacity of the belt. Therefore,conveyors having turns are limited to short lengths, minimal quantity ofturns, and limited payload capacity. Production lines containing modularplastic belt conveyors with turns typically require a high cost due tothe high quantity of drive mechanisms needed to run multiple conveyors.These production lines also contain frequent belt-to-belt transferpoints which can sometimes cause product handling issues.

Another shortcoming of modular plastic belts is that they have a fixedwidth, meaning, the width along the entire length of a typical conveyorsystem cannot vary. When applications require spreading or convergingproduct in-stream, the use of a fixed width belt often becomesproblematic. In some cases, fixed or active rails systems are used abovethe conveyor belts to slide product transversely across the belt. Thesetypes of rails have been known to cause problems such as damage todelicate product, or difficulties with product handling due to the lossof velocity control that occurs as the product slips. In other cases,multiple strands of narrow straight belts are used at angles to eachother in order to diverge or converge product. These systems inherentlyresult in “dead” spaces between the belts which have been known to stallor damage product.

The present invention provides a solution to overcome many of theshortcomings of modular plastic belt and also creates new opportunitiesfor system level designs. The present invention relates to a conveyorbelt which can vary in overall width, shape, trajectory, and surfacespeed during travel. In addition, the present invention inherently andautomatically distributes payload stresses throughout its entirestructure, making high load capacities achievable in numerousapplications, including turns.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a conveyor belt that is capable ofchanging width, shape, trajectory, and surface speed during travel. Theconveyor belt also automatically distributes loads to multiple jointsduring travel, making high load capacities achievable in variousapplications such as turns.

The conveyor belt comprises a plurality of interconnected sub-componentsof the following three types: links, joints, and control elements. Thelinks comprise structural components or assemblies which are rotatablyconnected to each other via joints. The joints comprise features,components, or assemblies that enable said links to change theirorientation in a manner that includes at least one axis of rotationnormal or approximately normal to the conveying surface of said conveyorbelt. The plurality of links and joints connected to each other form amesh-like conveying surface which can vary in shape as it travels. Theconveyor belt also includes integrated control elements, which arefeatures or components designed to engage with external guides. Thecontrol elements are used to define and manipulate the width, shape,trajectory, and surface speed of the conveyor belt during travel.

Numerous embodiments exist for the conveyor belt in relation to itsnominal constructed width, length, and thickness. Numerous embodimentsalso exist for the conveyor belt in relation to the design, location,and combination of its sub-components, which include said links, saidjoints, and said control elements.

The links included in the present invention may be made of rigid,semi-rigid, or flexible material. This is possible because the loadsapplied to the links during use are primarily tensile loads. Links mayalso be made up of single body parts, multiple body composite parts, orchains of multiple parts interconnected to each other.

The joints included in the present invention are features, components,or assemblies which connect the links to each other and allow them torotate about an axis normal or approximately normal to the conveyingsurface of the conveyor belt. The joints may consist of interlockingfeatures built into the bodies of the links or they may include one ormore separate parts. The joints may also comprise components orassemblies having one or more independently located axes of rotation.One example of a single axis joint in a single location is a straightround pin inserted through holes at the ends of multiple adjacent flatlinks. One example of a multiple axis joint is a round ring connected tomultiple links in such a manner that the link ends can both slide andpivot about the surface of the ring. One example of a joint includingmultiple independently located axes of rotation is a separate flatsquare part with holes in each of its four corners wherein each hole isrotatably connected to holes in the ends of adjacent links via roundstraight pins. Some other examples of joints provide infinite axes ofrotation, such as a ball-in-socket joint, or a joint made of flexiblematerial.

The control elements included in the present invention are features,components, or assemblies which are capable of engaging with externalguides. The control elements may be configured to engage with outsidesurfaces of guides, the inside surfaces of guides, or both. Said controlelements optionally include friction reducing elements such as slipperyplastics, embedded lubricants, or rollers.

In another aspect of the invention, the invention is directed to aconveyor system comprising the inventive conveyer belt and one or morepower sources and guides. Guides included in said conveyor system engagewith the control elements of said conveyor belt for the purpose ofdefining or altering the width, shape, trajectory, or surface speed ofsaid conveyor belt. Guides may be positioned at diverging angles to eachother to create a spreading conveyor belt system, or guides may bepositioned at converging angles to each other to create a narrowingconveyor belt system. Guides may also be formed into radii to create aturning conveyor belt system. There are many useful versions of theconveyor system comprising said conveyor belt including but not limitedto the following: spreading conveyors, converging conveyors, turningconveyors, small radii turning conveyors, diverging turns, convergingturns, trough conveyors, turning trough conveyors, spirals, inclines,declines, banked conveyors, twisted conveyors, and conveyors withinternal motion or internal unique shapes.

The conveyor system also comprises one or more power systems to drivethe belt and one or more tensioning systems to tension the belt. Some ofthe common drive arrangements which may be used include motor-drivenshafts with sprockets or rollers engaging the surface of said conveyorsbelt. Some of the less common but equally effective methods to drive theconveyor belt include motor-driven shafts with belts, chains, orsprockets configured to engage one or more edges of said conveyor belt.Some of the common tensioning methods that may be used in conveyorsystems include catenary sag, weighted rollers, or spring loadedrollers. A less common method that may also be used for tensioningincludes spring loaded outer guides which apply tension to said conveyorbelt by pulling in the transverse direction. Another less common methodthat may be used for tensioning, which applies to embodiments of thepresent invention that are flexible in the transverse direction,includes trough-shaped catenary sag.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is madeto the following detailed description of various exemplary embodimentsdescribed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Upon reviewingthe drawings, those skilled in the art should recognize that thecomponents of the invention can take various forms, and that theinvention can be implemented in a wide variety of embodiments. Theembodiments described below are exemplary in nature and reference shouldbe made to the claims when assessing the overall scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a symbolic representation of a conveyor belt constructed inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial view of a conveyor belt constructed in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the invention, shown in motion whilesimultaneously engaged on an external guide.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a conveyor belt constructed in accordance withanother exemplary embodiment of the invention, shown moving through aconverging or spreading apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a conveyor belt constructed in accordance withanother exemplary embodiment of the invention, shown moving throughturn.

FIG. 5 is a system level view showing various example capabilities of aconveyor belt constructed in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a system level view showing various example methods of drivingor powering a conveyor belt constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a system level view showing various example methods oftensioning a conveyor belt constructed in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIGS. 8A-8C are detail views showing an example of a joint and linkmechanism wherein said links share a common single axis of rotation attheir ends.

FIGS. 9A-9C are detail views showing an example of a joint and linkmechanism wherein said joints enable multiple axes of rotation. Saidlinks 102 h in this embodiment can both slide and pivot about the joint104 h.

FIGS. 10A-10C are detail views showing an example of a joint and linkmechanism wherein said links 102 i snap onto said joints 104 i via hooklike features 168.

FIGS. 11A-11C are detail views showing an example of a joint and linkmechanism wherein said joint 104 j includes a component having multipleconnections 170 to the links 102 j.

FIGS. 12A-12C are detail views showing an example of a joint and linkmechanism wherein said joint 104 k is a component having multipleconnections 172 to said links 102 k, each connection residing in anindependent location, and each connections 172 having infinite axes ofrotation.

FIGS. 13A-13C are detail views showing an example of a joint and linkmechanism wherein said links comprise interconnected chain.

FIGS. 14A-14C are detail views showing an example of a joint and linkmechanism wherein said links comprise string, cord, wire, rope, or thelike.

FIGS. 15A-15C are detail views showing an example of a control element106 p located at the edge of a conveyor belt and engaging a round barguide 108 p.

FIGS. 16A-16C are detail views showing an example of a control element106 q located on the edge of a conveyor belt and engaging a round barguide 108 q.

FIGS. 17A-17C are detail views showing an example of a control element106 r located on the edge of a conveyor belt and engaging a c-shapedguide.

FIGS. 18A-18D are detail views showing an example of a control element106 s comprising a roller and shaft which is located on the edge of aconveyor belt and engaging with a round bar guide rail 108 s.

FIGS. 19A-19C are detail views showing an example of a control element106 t located within the span of a conveyor belt and engaging with au-slot guide 108 t.

FIGS. 20A-20C are detail views showing an example of a control element106 t located within the span of a conveyor belt and engaging with au-slot guide 108 t.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a conveyor belt which is able to varyin width, shape, trajectory, and surface speed during travel. FIG. 1 isa symbolic representation of a conveyor belt constructed in accordancewith the present invention. This view shows a conveyor belt 100comprising a plurality of links 102, joints 104, and control elements106. The links 102 are structural members which are connected to eachother via the joints 104. The control elements 106 are features orcomponents capable of engaging with external guides. Said controlelements are located in longitudinal arrangements at or near each edgeof the conveyor belt and optionally in one or more locations within thespan of the conveyor belt. As represented symbolically in FIG. 1, aplurality of links 102, joints 104, and control elements 106 areinterconnected to form the conveyor belt 100. The links 102 arestructural components or assemblies of components which are rotatablyconnected to each other via the joints 104. The joints 104 are features,components, or assemblies which rotatably connect the ends of the linksto the ends of adjacent links and enable the links to change orientationwithin the conveying surface of the conveyor belt. This change inorientation is in a manner such that at least one axis of rotation isnormal or approximately normal to the conveying surface of said conveyorbelt. Due to the plurality of these interconnected rotatable links, theconveyor belt in its entirety is able to vary in overall width, shape,trajectory, and surface speed. Integrated or connected to the links 102or the joints 104 are the control elements 106, which are features,components, or assemblies capable of engaging with external guides. Thecontrol elements 106 are preferably located in longitudinal arrays, witheach array parallel to the direction of travel of the conveyor belt 100.Arrays of control elements 106 are positioned at or near each edge ofthe conveyor belt 100 and optionally may be positioned in one or morelocations within the span of the conveyor belt 100. The control elements106 perform the function of guiding and shaping the conveyor belt as itmoves through the system which it is a part of.

Reference is made in the following paragraphs to various embodiments ofthe invention and its sub-components. The present invention relates tothe conveyor belt assembly 100 in which pluralities of links 102, joints104, and control elements 106. are assembled together in variouscombinations. FIGS. 2 through 7 show various embodiments for the purposeof explaining the general concepts and uses of the present invention.FIGS. 8 through 20 show example embodiments of the sub-components of theconveyor belt 100 and rails used in an overall conveying system.

One example of a conveyer system constructed in accordance with thepresent invention is shown in FIG. 2. The conveyor belt 100 a includes aplurality of links 102 a. The links 102 a are rigid members with flattops and hooked ends rotatably connected to each other via joints 104 acomprising rigid round rings. The joints 104 a enable the links 102 a tochange orientation within the conveying surface due to the fact that thelinks are free to rotate about the joints via sliding motion betweentheir hooked ends and the surface of the rings. Additionally, the joints104 a in this embodiment which are residing at the edge of the conveyorbelt are connected to control elements 106 a comprising rigidhook-shaped components 106 a. Said control elements 106 a are capable ofengaging with an external round guide 108 a thereby controlling thelocation of the edge of the conveyor belt 100 a.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention wherein aplurality of short straight bars with holes at each end form the links102 b. Pins are inserted through the holes to form the joints 104 b. Thejoints include one axis of rotation normal to the conveying surface ofthe conveyor belt 100 b which enables the links to change theirorientation within the conveying surface. Joints 104 b located at theedge of the conveyor belt in this embodiment include extended pins whichmake up the conveyor belt's control elements 106 b. The control elementsengage an external guide 108 b to control the conveyor belt's overalldirection and shape. As shown in FIG. 3, the plurality of links, joints,and control elements 106 b allow the conveyor belt 100 b in its entiretyto vary in width as it travels. The embodiment in FIG. 3 shows theconveyor belt 100 b converging when its direction of travel is upward,and spreading when its direction of travel is downward. Converging andspreading are important and useful characteristics of the presentinvention.

Another similar embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4.In this embodiment, slightly longer and narrower straight rigid barsform the links 102 c, smaller diameter pins form the joints 104 c, andextended pins located at the edges of the conveyor belt form the controlelements 106 c. In FIG. 4, the conveyor belt 100 c is traveling througha turn with a small inside radius. The shape of this turn is dictated byexternal fixed guides 108 c, which are engaging the conveyor belt'scontrol elements 106 c as it travels. The combination of links 102 c,joints 104 c, and control elements 106 c enable the characteristic ofturning, and in particular relatively tight turning compared totraditional conveyor belts.

Converging, spreading, and turning are a few of the usefulcharacteristics of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, there areadditionally many other useful characteristics. The system level view inthis figure is showing an embodiment of the conveyor belt 100 d beingguided at its edges by guide rails 108 d. External structure is omittedfrom this image for the sake of illustration. The external structurewould typically include slide beds or runners supporting the span of thebelt, framework, legs, tensioning systems, and drive systems. FIG. 5illustrates the following useful characteristics of the presentinvention: The ability to converge or become narrower whilesimultaneously increasing in surface speed 110; The ability to travel ina narrow high surface speed configuration 112; The ability to spread orbecome wider while simultaneously decreasing in surface speed 114; Theability to travel in a wide low surface speed configuration 116; Theability to travel in a medium width, medium surface speed configuration118; The ability to travel around a tight radius turn 120; The abilityto travel around a converging turn 122; The ability to travel around alarge radius turn while in a narrow high speed configuration 124; Theability to travel around a spreading turn 126; The ability to travelthrough a flat to trough transition 128; The ability to travel in astraight troughed shape, wherein the conveyor belt has a lateraldrooping curve 130; The ability to travel in a troughed shape whilesimultaneously turning 132; The ability to travel through a trough toflat transition 134; The ability to change in elevation whilesimultaneously turning or moving through a spiral 136; The ability tochange in elevation while moving straight 138; The ability to travelthrough a large radius turn while running in a medium or wide widthconfiguration 140. In addition to the large variety of characteristicswhich can be achieved while guiding the conveyor belt 110 d at itsedges, control elements may also be utilized inside the span of theconveyor belt to enable other specialized functionalities. Some of theseother specialized functionalities include but are not limited to:internal back-and-forth motion, internal shaking, inverse trough shapeswherein the conveyor belt maintains a convex or upward lateral curve,bumps or high sections within the conveyor belt, depressions or lowsections within the belt, and banked or twisting sections within theconveyor belt.

Embodiments of the present invention typically will be driven or putinto motion by an external power source. Power sources such as ACmotors, DC motors, servo motors, and the like are a few exemplarymethods of driving said conveyor belt. Alternative methods can also beemployed such as air cylinders to create oscillating motion of theconveyor belt, or pulling of sections of belt back and forth usingmotor-driven cables, gravity powered systems, or hand cranks. As shownin FIG. 6, a conveyor belt embodiment 100 e which is guided by rails atits edges 108 e can be engaged to be driven in a variety of exemplarymethods including but not limited to the following: A drive shaft withsprockets 142; Pinch rollers which squeeze the belt and use friction toprovide pulling force 144; A drum drive which uses belt tension andfriction to provide pulling force 146, 148; Chains with lugs whichengage the edges of the conveyor belt to provide pulling force 150;Sprockets which engage the edges of the conveyor belt to provide pullingforce 152; A shaft with sprockets located tangential to the conveyorbelt 154. In some applications, for example when conveyor belts are verylong, multiple power systems can be employed to drive a single belt.These power systems may be installed at intervals to reduce belt tensionand provide the required driving power. Multiple drive arrangements mayuse friction rollers so as to avoid accumulated stretching or bunchingof the conveyor belt over time, or, methods such as controlled servomotors with or without feedback loops may be employed so that sprocketengaging drive systems can be used at distances from each other whilemaintaining required speeds to match the speed of the belt.

Embodiments of the present invention, when used in conveyingapplications, may require at least one tensioning mechanism to stayproperly connected to guides and drive mechanisms while in motion. Asshown in FIG. 7, a conveyor belt embodiment 100 f, which is guided byrails at its edges 108 f, and driven by a powered shaft with sprockets156 may be tensioned in a variety of methods including but not limitedto the following: Catenary sag 158, which is a hanging section of beltthat uses the conveyor belt's own weight to apply and maintain properrunning tension; Weighted tensioning rollers 160; Spring loadedtensioning rollers 162, 164; Or spring loaded guide rails 166, whichapply tension by pulling on the conveyor belt in the transversedirection.

As mentioned earlier, numerous embodiments exist for the sub-componentsof the present invention, with those sub-components being defined as thelinks 102, joints 104, and control elements 106. Embodiments of thepresent invention may be created by assembling pluralities of eitheridentical or non-identical embodiments of each of the aforementionedsub-components. In addition, embodiments of the present invention andits sub-components may be made from various materials and may be made tovarious dimensions, sizes, scale, length, width, or thickness. Thefollowing paragraphs describe various example embodiments of thesub-components of the conveyor belt and guide rails.

FIGS. 8A-8C show—an example embodiment of a joint and link sub-assembly.The links 102 g are rigid members with holes at their ends rotatablyconnected to each other via the joints 104 g comprising pins. Thisembodiment illustrates an example joint having only one axis of rotationwhich is normal to the conveying surface of the conveyor belt. The links102 g in this example also include bosses of varying height for thepurpose of creating a flush conveying surface on the top side. Thisexample illustrates that the link sub-components can be non-identicaland still be assembled to each other to form the conveyor belt.

FIGS. 9A-9 c show another example embodiment of a joint and linksub-assembly. In this embodiment, the links 102 h comprise rigid flatbars which are positioned on their edge and include holes at their ends.Inserted through these holes are the joints 104 h, which are made up offormed and welded rings. This embodiment illustrates an example whereidentical links and joints are assembled to create the conveyor belt.This embodiment also illustrates an example joint having multiple modesof rotation. The first mode of rotation is through sliding motionbetween the ends of the links and the surface of the ring wherein thelinks are enabled to change their orientation within the surface of theconveyor belt. The second mode of rotation is through pivoting motion ofthe ends of the links on the surface of the ring wherein the conveyorbelt is enabled to flex in both transverse and longitudinal directions.A conveyor belt made of up the links 102 h and said joints 104 h willhave additional useful characteristics beyond variable width and turningcapabilities. Those characteristics include the ability to form a troughshape, the ability to bend in the longitudinal direction, the ability totwist, the ability to have high or low sections within the span of theconveyor belt, among many others.

FIGS. 10a -10C show another example embodiment of a joint and linksub-assembly. In this embodiment, the links 102 i comprise rigid diamondshaped members with hooks 168 at their ends. The links are rotatablyconnected to each other via the joints 104 i which comprise rigid roundrings. The hooks attach to the rings and enable multiple modes ofrotation between said links. Those modes of rotation are similar to themodes previously described by the embodiment in FIGS. 9A-9C. A conveyorbelt made up of the links 102 i and the joints 104 i also exhibitssimilar useful characteristics to the embodiment in FIGS. 9A-9C. Theembodiment shown in FIGS. 10A-10C has additional useful features due toits shape. The hook features 168 enable both ease of assembly and easeof maintenance for the conveyor belt. This is due to the fact that linkscan be simply “snapped” into place by pulling the hook features onto therings. This embodiment is very clean, which is useful in sanitaryapplications, due to the fact that there are no trapped or enclosedpockets and all surfaces are easily accessible for washing down.Additionally, the diamond shaped links increase the amount of surfacearea on the top of the conveyor belt and simultaneously decrease thesize of the openings. Small openings are useful when safety is a concernbecause they prevent pinch and shear points from occurring. A slightvariation of this embodiment which would further reduce the size ofopenings includes links with alternating protruding “comb-like” featuresat their edges; these protruding features would slide past each other onadjacent links without touching, but at the same time interlacing, sothat gap sizes are minimized.

FIGS. 11A-11C show another example embodiment of a joint and linksub-assembly. In this embodiment, the links 102 j comprise straightrigid members with holes at their ends, and the joints 104 j comprisesquare shaped parts with protruding pin-shaped features 170 located ateach corner. The links snap onto the pin features to enable rotation ofthe links within the surface of the conveyor belt. This examplesub-assembly illustrates that joint embodiments may include multipleconnections to links and multiple axes of rotation with each connectionlocated in an independent location.

FIGS. 12A-12C show another example embodiment of a joint and linksub-assembly. In this embodiment, the links 102 k comprise straightrigid members with spherical shaped holes at their ends, and the joints104 k comprise square shaped parts with protruding ball-like features172 located at each corner. This example sub-assembly is similar to thatdescribed by FIGS. 11A-11C, except that the joints shown includeinfinite axes of rotation for each connection to each link. A conveyorbelt built with said links 102 k, and said joints 104 k is able to flexin multiple directions and exhibits similar useful characteristics aspreviously described by the embodiments in FIGS. 9A-9C and 10A-10C.

FIGS. 13A-13C show another example embodiment of a joint and linksub-assembly. In this embodiment, the links 102 m comprise shortsections of chain, and the joints 104 m comprise round rings. The linksare connected to each other via the rings and thereby similar modes ofrotation are enabled between links as in the other previously describedembodiments containing rings as joints. This example has even moreflexibility compared to previously described embodiments due the factthat the links themselves contain their own internal degrees of freedom.This embodiment illustrates that the links may exist as multipleinterconnected parts while still functioning as needed for the variablewidth conveyor belt.

FIGS. 14A-14C show another example embodiment of a joint and linksub-assembly. In this embodiment, the links 102 m comprise shortsections of cord, wire, string, rope, or the like, and the joints 104 mcomprise knots or bonds between said links. The links in this embodimentare enabled to change their orientation within the surface of theconveyor belt due to the flexing of material at the joint. Thisembodiment of link and joint sub-components has a high degree offlexibility in all directions which can be useful if small diameter nosebars are required at the end transfer points of a conveyor system.

FIGS. 15A-15C show an example embodiment of a control element 106 pattached to the edge of a conveyor belt. In this embodiment, the links102 p comprise rigid oval shaped members with hooked ends, and thejoints 104 p comprise rigid rings. This embodiment is a section of theconveyor belt illustrated in FIG. 2. Said control element 106 p is arigid member with a small hook on one end and a large hook on the other.The small hook engages the ring joint to create a rotatable connection,while the large hook engages a round guide rail 108 p to create aslidable connection. This embodiment is an example control element thatis located on the edge of a conveyor belt and which engages the outsideof an external guide. This example control element also provides a fewadvantageous characteristics to the conveyor belt design, including,ease of assembly, ease of maintenance, low cost, and sanitaryconstruction.

FIGS. 16A-16C show another example embodiment of a control element 106 qattached to the edge of a conveyor belt. In this embodiment, the links102 q comprise interconnected chain, and the joints 104 p comprise rigidrings. The links and joints in this embodiment are similar to that whichis shown in FIGS. 13A-13C. The control element 106 q comprises an openu-shaped bent metal rod which is rotatably attached to the ring joint104 q and which slidably engages the outside surface of a round guiderail 108 q. This embodiment is another example of a control elementlocated at the edge of a conveyor belt.

FIGS. 17A-17C show another example embodiment of a control element 106 rattached to the edge of a conveyor belt. In this embodiment, the links102 r comprise interconnected chain, and the joint 104 r comprises arigid bent member shaped like the number eight. The control element 106r comprises a round notched member connected to the joint at its center.The control element 106 r also slides and rolls inside an externalc-shaped guide 108 r. This embodiment is an example of a control elementlocated at the edge of a conveyor belt which engages with the insidesurface of an external guide. Some advantages of this example embodimentare high strength, reduced friction due to rolling motion, and the factthat the outer fixed guide 108 r acts as a safety guard at the edge ofthe moving conveyor belt.

FIGS. 18A-18C show another example embodiment of a control element 106 sattached to the edge of a conveyor belt. In this embodiment, the links102 s comprise rigid flat members with spherical shaped holes at theirends, and the joints 104 s comprise rigid members including twoball-in-socket connections 176 to said links. The control element 106 scomprises a shaft-like feature protruding from the same body that makesup the joint with a grooved roller 174 located on and free to spin onthis shaft. The control element 106 s engages the outside surface of around guide 108 s via rolling motion of its included roller 174. Thisexample embodiment of a control element illustrates that rollers mayoptionally be included to reduce friction when engaged with a guide.

FIGS. 19A-19C show an example embodiment of a control element 106 tincluded inside the span of a conveyor belt. In this embodiment, thelinks 102 t comprise rigid flat members with holes at their ends, andthe joints 104 t comprise rigid straight pins inserted through saidholes. An extension of this pin in the downward direction forms thecontrol element 106 t. Said control element engages with a u-shapedguide 108 t located underneath the conveyor belt. This exampleembodiment illustrates that control elements may optionally exist withinthe span of a conveyor belt. This type of control element may be used tocreate characteristics relating to internal motion of a conveyor belt,such as back-and-forth shaking.

FIGS. 20A-20C show another example embodiment of a control element 106 uincluded inside the span of a conveyor belt. In this embodiment, thelinks 102 u comprise rigid flat members with spherical holes at theirends, and the joints 104 u comprise square shaped parts withball-in-socket features 178 located at each corner. The control element106 u comprises a cylindrical protrusion extending downward from thejoint 104 u. The control element 106 u engages with a u-shaped guide 108u located underneath the conveyor belt. This example is similar to theembodiment shown in FIGS. 19A-19C in that it illustrates that controlelements may optionally exist within the span of a conveyor belt. Thisexample provides additional useful characteristics to the conveyor beltincluding a flush upper conveying surface, due to said joint havingconnections to said links in independent locations, and, a more flexibleconveyor belt in both transverse and longitudinal directions, due to theball-in-socket joints.

Numerous other embodiments also exist for the sub-components not shownin the previously described images. For example, links can be made up ofrigid wire with bent hook or loop shaped features at their ends, whichare connected to each other via joints comprising pins, rings, or bydirect connection of the link ends. Links can also be made up of longstring or cord which is threaded through multiple joints and knotted,bonded, or crimped at various locations to form the joints. Links can bemade of rigid straight members which are connected to each other viaflexible bonds to form the joints. Also, links can be made of membersvarying in length, for example long links located near the edges of aconveyor belt combined with short lengths located near the middle, thepurpose of this variation being that the conveyor belt can achievedifferent characteristics such as reduced radius turns. Links cancomprise specially shaped members which interlace with each other duringorientation changes for the purpose of reducing opening sizes in theconveyor belt. Joints can comprise separate parts which include internaladditional modes of rotation such as a hinge joint between connectionsto the links. Joints can include extended platforms which protrudehigher than the surface of the links for the purpose of creating aconveyor belt which uses the tops of joints as the conveying surface.Control elements can contain ball bearings, wear pads made of slipperymaterials, or materials with embedded solid lubricants for the purposeof friction reduction.

Although the invention has been described in detail with reference tocertain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible.Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not belimited to the description of the exemplary embodiments containedherein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A conveyor belt comprising: a mesh conveyingsurface capable of varying in width when in motion along a direction oftravel, said mesh conveying surface being formed by a plurality of linksand joints extending across and connected to each other across the meshconveying surface, wherein the joints rotatably connect the ends of thelinks to the ends of adjacent links and enable the links to changeorientation in a manner that includes at least one axis of rotationnormal or approximately normal to the conveying surface rendering themesh conveying surface flexible in both a direction transverse and adirection parallel with the direction of travel; and control elementscapable of engaging with external guides to guide the conveyer belt asit is driven to move along the direction of travel.
 2. The conveyor beltin claim 1 wherein said links comprise single-body parts made of rigidor semi-rigid material.
 3. The conveyor belt in claim 1 wherein saidlinks comprise multiple body composite parts.
 4. The conveyor belt inclaim 1 wherein said links comprise flexible material.
 5. The conveyorbelt in claim 1 wherein said links comprise a chain of interconnectedparts each made of rigid or semi-rigid material.
 6. The conveyor belt inclaim 1 wherein said joints comprise interlocking features which areincluded in the bodies of said links.
 7. The conveyor belt in claim 1wherein said joints include multiple connections to said links whereineach connection resides along a common axis.
 8. The conveyor belt inclaim 1 wherein said joints include multiple connections to said linkswherein each connection resides in an independent location.
 9. Theconveyor belt in claim 1 wherein said joints comprise bonds between endsof said links.
 10. The conveyor belt in claim 1 wherein said jointscomprise rings or hoops.
 11. The conveyor belt in claim 1 wherein saidjoints comprise a ball in a socket.
 12. The conveyor belt in claim 1wherein said control elements are configured to engage with the outsidesurface of external guides.
 13. The conveyor belt in claim 1 whereinsaid control elements are configured to engage with the inside surfaceof external guides.
 14. The conveyor belt in claim 1 wherein saidcontrol elements include friction reducing parts such as wear pads orrolling parts.
 15. A conveyor system comprising the conveyor belt ofclaim 1, at least one power source, and guides, wherein the guidesdefine the width, shape, trajectory, and surface speed of said conveyorbelt, and wherein said power source moves the conveyor belt.
 16. Theconveyor system in claim 15 wherein said conveyor belt increases inwidth while in motion via said guides positioned at diverging angles toeach other.
 17. The conveyor system in claim 15 wherein said conveyorbelt decreases in width while in motion via said guides positioned atconverging angles to each other.
 18. The conveyor system in claim 15wherein said conveyor belt moves through a turn while in motion via saidguides positioned to form a curve.
 19. The conveyor system in claim 15wherein said conveyor belt is driven to move via said power sourceapplied at one or both edges of said conveyor belt.
 20. The conveyorsystem in claim 15 wherein tension force is applied to said conveyorbelt in a transverse or approximately transverse direction at one orboth edges of the conveyor belt.